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Topic 4 - The Brain and Neuropsychology - Coggle Diagram
Topic 4 - The Brain and Neuropsychology
Issues and debates - changes in brain research
Studies
Sperry (1968)
Aim: Identify role of each brain hemisphere/show they each have their own memories
Method: Lab Experiment
Sample: 11 participants - all with a split brain (corpus callosum severed)
Damasio et al (1994)
Method: Case study
Based on Phineas Gage - used his skull
Aim: Investigate Phineas Gage's brain damage to determine the functions of the frontal lobe
Procedure
Photographs and X-rays were used to create a 3D image of Gage's brain
Entry and exit holes of the rod were identified
The 3D image could be compared to normal brains to find where the damage likely occured
Results
Both hemispheres were damaged, especially in the middle (ventromedial region)
Damage was mostly in frontal lobe
White matter (where neurons pass messages along) was also damaged
Conclusion: Ventromedial region of frontal lobe responsible for sensible decisions
Evaluation
Strengths: Modern technology used (very scientific), computer model more reliable than 1848 reports, can be used to treat people with similar damage, based on a real life case (valid)
Weaknesses: Hard to generalise (damage very unique to Gage), based on 150 year old reports (might not be reliable)
Brain function
Neurological damage: Damage to the central nervous system, mainly the brain
Can be caused by alcohol, trauma, strokes or infection
3 types of brain damage for IGCSE:
Visual agnosia: A person's vision functions normally, but they cannot recognise objects through sight.
Parietal lobe affected
Prosopagnosia: Similar to visual agnosia, except people cannot recognise faces.
Fusiform face area (FFA) affected (part of temporal lobe)
Prefrontal cortex damage: This part of the brain is responsible for controlling aggression and impulses, so damaging this part makes a person impulsive and aggressive
The roles of different parts of the brain
Occipital lobe: Vision
Temporal lobe: Hearing
Parietal lobe: Taste, temperature, touch
Frontal lobe: Higher order thinking, decision making, planning
Cerebellum: Coordination and balance
Key terms